Volunteers

The SEB Charity Fund aims not only to raise money, but also to support people in helping themselves. In summer 2007 we invited employees of SEB to set up a club in support of the Charity Fund, which would unite the people who want to take part in joint events with children staying in shelters. 20 big-hearted people reacted to the first invitation. The first volunteers were SEB’s employees with their children and families, but good people from many organisations. The desire to give shelter children some quality time in the company of adults has brought more than 60 people to the club by today.

SEB Charity Fund finances the recreational activities of children and organises various events – it makes it possible to offer shelter children valuable moments with volunteers and shelter workers. At this time, the volunteers are in a different environment and they can devote all of their attention to the children. It is important to listen to children, to talk to them and to play with them. These joyful moments with their big friends are very important for the children.

The main goal of the joint activities is to support the development of the children and to improve their coping skills. Children staying in shelters need adults in their lives who do interesting things with them – this quality time is a factor that prevents behavioural problems in children. The volunteers take the children to sports events, cinema and theatre, and do everything that is a natural part of the childhood of children raised in ordinary families, and not only in December, which is the 'high season' of charity, but all year round.

Many activities have become annual traditions, like building the snow republic, the swim party in spring, the end of summer trip to Helsinki, the cooking party in autumn, the gingerbread race in December. We have learned first aid methods and played football with musicians, went on a photo hunt in the zoo and climbed in the adventure park, had fun with magicians and rapped in a recording studio, made kennels for shelter dogs and many other fun and useful things. Everyone wins when friends give a helping hand!

Participate
Thank you, if you have already supported our charity programme or if you are going to do it in the future! Sign a standing payment order contract in SEB Internet Bank for 3 euros a month or support with a single donation.